title: Intrinsically fluorescent silica nanocontainers: a promising theranostic platform.
abstract: In this paper we describe the preparation of fluorescent mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) for traceable drug delivery systems. The nanoparticles were prepared following a sol-gel procedure, incorporating a modified perylenediimide dye in the silica structure. Transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy show that the nanoparticles are monodispersed, with a spheroid shape and a raspberry-type surface morphology. The hybrid MSNs are robust, maintaining the mesoporous structure after template removal, with a pore diameter above 2 nm. A polymer shell was synthesized from the external surface of the hybrid nanoparticles by atom transfer radical polymerization, showing temperature-switchable collapsed/expanded conformation control. The fluorescent properties of the perylenediimide dye incorporated in the MSN pore walls are intact, and internalization in HEK293 cells shows that the nanoparticles are efficiently dispersed in the cytosol. These results show that the mesoporous fluorescent hybrid nanoparticles are an excellent platform for development of a traceable drug delivery system.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Química-Física Molecular (CQFM) and Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (IN), Instituto Superior Técnico, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: Tânia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: Fábio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: José Paulo S
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Farinha
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baleizão
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000379:methods; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D053769:Nanocapsules / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D053769:Nanocapsules; D012822:Silicon Dioxide